Mount Martha

Population growth drivers in Mount Martha are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of February 2026, the estimated population of Mount Martha is around 20,311, reflecting an increase of 465 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 19,846. This change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 20,166 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 105 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 672 persons per square kilometer. Mount Martha's growth rate of 2.3% since the census positions it within 1.4 percentage points of the SA3 area (3.7%). Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 with adjustments made employing weighted aggregation methods. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Projected population growth indicates an above median increase nationally, with the suburb expected to expand by 3,179 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 14.9% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Mount Martha recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Mount Martha has seen approximately 67 dwelling approvals per year, with 339 homes approved between FY21 and FY25, and 22 so far in FY26. This suggests that supply is meeting or surpassing demand, with an average of 0.5 people moving to the area for each dwelling built over the past five financial years. The average construction cost value of new dwellings is $1,722,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment.

In FY26, there have been $10.1 million in commercial development approvals, showing moderate levels of commercial activity. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Mount Martha has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 49th percentile nationally, suggesting relatively constrained buyer choice. New building activity comprises 72% standalone homes and 28% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes. The location has approximately 330 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market.

By 2041, Mount Martha is projected to grow by 3,034 residents. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Mount Martha has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 49thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Mount Martha North Foreshore Toilet Renewal, Briars Wildlife Sanctuary Expansion, Briars Class A Recycled Water Project, and Mount Martha Village Parking and Footpath Upgrade on Watson Road. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment performance in Mount Martha ranks among the strongest 15% of areas evaluated nationally

Mount Martha has an educated workforce with 10,401 residents employed as of December 2025. The unemployment rate is 1.6%, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.8%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.1%.

Workforce participation in Mount Martha is 62.6%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.3%. A significant portion, 31.1%, of residents work from home. Major employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Construction shows strong specialization with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, transport, postal & warehousing has lower representation at 2.1% compared to the regional average of 5.2%. Over the year to December 2025, employment increased by 2.1% while labour force grew by 2.2%, with unemployment remaining stable. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment growth of 2.4% and labour force growth of 2.8%, with a slight rise in unemployment. National employment forecasts from May-25 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mount Martha's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

Mount Martha suburb has a median taxpayer income of $53,074 and an average income of $82,981 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Nationally, these figures are high compared to Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $57,453 (median) and $89,827 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023. The 2021 Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Mount Martha cluster around the 65th percentile nationally. Income distribution indicates that 29.7% of residents (6,032 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, which is consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing 32.8% in the same category. Economic strength is evident with 32.4% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. After housing costs, residents retain 86.7% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Mount Martha is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Mount Martha's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Martha was at 43.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 43.5% and rented ones at 12.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent figure in Mount Martha was $496, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Mount Martha's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Mount Martha features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 78.2% of all households, including 37.5% couples with children, 31.1% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 21.8%, consisting of 20.8% lone person households and 1.0% group households. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Mount Martha shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Mount Martha's residents aged 15+ have a university degree rate of 29.3%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 20.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.9%). Vocational credentials are held by 36.2% of residents, with advanced diplomas at 14.4% and certificates at 21.8%. Educational participation is high, with 29.9% currently enrolled in formal education: primary (10.9%), secondary (9.7%), and tertiary (3.9%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.9% in primary education, 9.7% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Mount Martha has 78 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by four different routes that together facilitate 805 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these transport services is considered good, with residents on average located 341 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most Mount Martha residents commute outward, primarily by car (95%). On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling in the area, which is higher than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 31.1% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency across all routes averages 115 trips per day, equating to approximately ten weekly trips per individual stop.

Mount Martha's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Mount Martha's health metrics show strong performance according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low among the general population, nearing national averages for older, at-risk cohorts.

Private health cover was exceptionally high, with approximately 60% of Mount Martha's total population (12,095 people) having it, compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7%. The most common medical conditions were arthritis and asthma, affecting 9.1 and 7.7% of residents respectively. 67.7% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Under-65 population health outcomes were better than average. Mount Martha has 28.0% of residents aged 65 and over (5,687 people), higher than Greater Melbourne's 15.1%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

Mount Martha ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Mount Martha, surveyed in June 2016, had a predominantly Australian-born population with 79.1% born there. Citizenship was high at 91.2%, and English-only speakers were 94.9%. Christianity dominated religiously, comprising 47.1%.

Judaism was overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 1.0%. Ancestry-wise, English (34.1%) and Australian (25.8%) groups were substantially higher than regional averages of 20.1% and 18.4% respectively. Irish ancestry stood at 9.7%. Other notable divergences included Scottish (9.5% vs 5.6%), Dutch (1.9% vs 1.2%), and Welsh (0.7% vs 0.4%).

Mount Martha hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Mount Martha's median age is 47 years, higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and exceeding the national average of 38 years. The 75-84 age group constitutes 11.5% of Mount Martha's population, compared to Greater Melbourne's percentage and significantly higher than the national figure of 6.1%. Post-2021 Census data indicates that the 75-84 age group grew from 8.4% to 11.5%, while the 15-24 cohort increased from 11.4% to 13.4%. Conversely, the 35-44 cohort declined from 11.3% to 9.0%, and the 5-14 group dropped from 14.6% to 13.1%. Demographic modeling projects significant changes in Mount Martha's age profile by 2041. The 75-84 cohort is projected to grow by 51%, adding 1,185 residents to reach 3,521. Residents aged 65 and above will drive 76% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 0-4 and 35-44 age cohorts.